Director of Retail Operations

Position Summary The Director of Retail Operations leads all aspects of the museum’s retail program, overseeing the museum store to maximize earned revenue while advancing the museum’s mission and brand. This role is responsible for merchandising, buying, financial performance, staff leadership, and creating an engaging retail experience that complements exhibitions and enhances visitor engagement. The Director of Retail Operations takes a hands-on, solutions-oriented approach, balancing strategic leadership with active involvement in day-to-day operations. This role also oversees the café operator to support revenue generation, enhance visitor experience, and promote external visibility. Essential Functions Strategic Leadership Develop and implement a retail strategy aligned with the museum’s mission, exhibitions, and audience goalsIdentify practical, cost-effective opportunities to grow revenue through in-store, online, and pop-up retail channelsCollaborate with CFO/CAO on financial planning, pricing strategies, and revenue optimization Retail Operations Oversee day-to-day operations of the museum store, ensuring excellent customer service and efficient, effective processesEstablish and maintain standard operating procedures, policies, and internal controlsManage retail systems (POS, inventory management, e-commerce platforms)Provide hands-on operational support as needed Buying & Merchandising Lead product selection and sourcing, with a focus on mission-aligned, high-quality merchandiseDevelop unique, cohesive, and appealing retail collection, including exhibition-related items and collaborations with artists and local vendorsMaintain optimal inventory levels and visual merchandising standards to maximize sales while minimizing excess Financial Management Develop and manage the annual operating budget for retail operationsMonitor sales, margins, inventory turnover, and KPIs; implement strategies to improve profitabilityEnsure accuracy and integrity of inventory dataAnalyze trends and performance data to inform purchasing and pricing decisionsMaintain a strong focus on cost management, operational efficiency, and revenue optimization E-Commerce Oversee the museum’s online store ensuring accuracy and alignment with in-store offeringsSupport a functional, customer-friendly digital presence as a complementary retail channel Team Leadership Recruit, train, and supervise retail staff, including managers, associates, seasonal employees, and volunteersFoster a customer-focused, inclusive, and collaborative team environmentSet performance goals and provide ongoing coaching and professional developmentLead by example through active engagement in both strategic initiatives and day-to-day operations Customer Experience Create a welcoming, educational, and engaging retail experience that enhances the visitor journeyEnsure high standards of customer service and resolve customer concerns as neededIntegrate storytelling and interpretation into retail spaces Partnerships & Compliance Build relationships with vendors, artisans, and publishersEnsure compliance with all financial, legal, and safety regulationsPartner with marketing to promote retail offerings through campaigns and eventsCollaborate with curatorial, experience, and development teams on special projects Qualifications Required Bachelor’s degree in business, retail management, or related field (or equivalent experience)7+ years of progressive retail leadership experience, preferably in cultural institutions or destination retail environmentsProven track record of driving retail sales growth and managing budgetsStrong merchandising, buying, and inventory management experienceExcellence in team leadership and staff developmentExcellent written, oral and interpersonal communications skillsHigh level of integrity, creativity, and resourcefulness Preferred Experience in museum, gallery, cultural, or destination retail settingsFamiliarity with mission-driven merchandising and artist/vendor partnershipsExperience maintaining e-commerce platforms Key Competencies Strategic thinking balanced with strong execution skillsFinancial acumen and operational disciplineCreativity in merchandising and product developmentExceptional aptitude for color harmony, fashion trends, and product displayExcellent communication and collaboration abilitiesCustomer-focused mindset with a passion for arts and cultureAdaptability and resourcefulness WORKING CONDITIONS Physical Environment Standard museum and office environment, including gallery spaces with variable lighting, ambient noise from public programming, and occasional exposure to art-handling or installation activities.Occasional travel to off-site locations for meetings and events. Physical Requirements Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk working on a computer.Extended use of a computer monitor, tablet, stylus, phone, and other technology; sustained visual concentration required.Ability to stand and move for extended periods throughout museum spaces.Occasional lifting, carrying, or transporting materials up to 25 lbs. Schedule and Availability Full-time schedule to support museum store hours; must be available to work occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays to support museum events and needs.Ability to work up to two days per week remotely, if operational needs allow.Occasional flexibility in the work schedule may be required to accommodate collaboratio across different time zones. Cognitive and Sensory Demands High degree of sustained concentration, creative problem-solving, and attention to detail required throughout the workday.Must be able to manage multiple concurrent projects under deadline pressure while maintaining quality. Compensation The Asian Art Museum is committed to practicing salary transparency. The minimum salary for this position is $125,000 and the maximum salary is $137,000. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity. This opportunity includes a generous benefits package, including but not limited to: Medical, dental, and vision plans with flexible spending accounts Paid time off (holidays, vacation, and sick leave) Immediate eligibility to enroll in a voluntary retirement savings program upon hire Group Retirement Plan available after 1 year of employment with employer match Hybrid schedule for eligible positions OUR DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION COMMITMENTS At the Asian Art Museum, we are dedicated to ideating, building, and holding ourselves accountable for Diversity, Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion in everything we do. We strive to foster a culture of respect, belonging and inclusivity for all employees. Our mission is to celebrate, preserve, and promote Asian and Asian American art and cultures for local and global audiences. We provide a dynamic forum for exchanging ideas, inviting collaboration, and fueling imagination to deepen understanding and empathy among people of all backgrounds. Diversity of thought and experience is essential to our mission, and we are committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. WHAT'S NEXT? Apply online at https://about.asianart.org/careers/. Ensuring a smooth and enjoyable candidate experience is critical for us. Application materials will be screened in relation to the criteria described. Candidates deemed to be the most highly qualified will be invited to participate in the interview process. Our interview process tends to take about 4 weeks to complete but may fluctuate depending on the role. Appointment is subject to completion of a thorough background check process. The Asian Art Museum is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories (arrest and criminal histories) consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law.